Richard Dillender

Richard Dillender, 77, of Cape Girardeau died Thursday, July 8, 2004, at Southeast Missouri Hospital.

He was born July 24, 1926, in Sikeston, Mo., son of Sam and Emily Porchie Dillender. He and Joyce Elizabeth Sadler were married Sept. 11, 1947, in Corinth, Miss. She died Feb. 24, 1992.

Dillender began working for C.B. Poage and Sons Sheet Metal Co. in the early 1950s, purchased the business in the mid-1970s, and operated it until 1981. He was a member of American Legion Post 114. He was formerly of Sikeston, Mo.

He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

Survivors include three sons, John Dillender of Thousand Oaks, Calif., David Dillender of Sikeston, Kevin Dillender of Cape Girardeau; four daughters, Lana Dillender of Panama City, Fla., Nancy Reiman and Cindy Dillender of Sikeston, Sue Noels of Bell City, Mo.; two brothers, Louis Dillender of St. Louis, Frank Dillender of Fredericktown, Mo.; two sisters, Lola Cardin of Cape Girardeau, Audrey Goddard of St. Louis; six grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and four brothers.

Friends may call at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday.

The funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the chapel, with the Rev. Jim Matthews officiating. Burial will be in Old Morley Cemetery, with military honors conducted by Missouri Military Funeral Honor Guard.